Thursday, December 4, 2008
Other music cafes
Many different cafes that cater have a variety of genres that conceptualizes pop music. Such places I visited include “Big 1 cafe” , “Music cafe 84” and “Quam Z cafe”. With various reasons as to why people frequent these cafes, including to enjoy the romantic musical atmosphere with a partner, and family gatherings for relaxation and entertainment, with songs like “Giac mo tinh yeu” (love dream), by popular singer My Tam, Besame Mucho ,a popular romantic Spanish song and “Bien Nho” (missing by the sea) from famous composer Trinh Cong Son. For singers, music cafes give them an avenue to showcase their talents and skills of both local and foreign music, and to create awareness, an instance being in “The Big One” cafe, one of the local singers there, Dong Lan, who was a foreign exchange student in France before, singing a French song “La vie en rose”. Hence the social function of musical performances in Vietnam as well, bringing people together to enjoy the musical atmosphere as well as to promote various degrees of Vietnamese and foreign popular music, as well as an economic entity for singers, managers and audiences. Thus, the shows the advent of new social space and economic entities presented by the trend of music cafes in Vietnam.
Minh's Jazz Club
My personal experiences over there was that the cafe is frequented mostly by foreigners, and the song performed are mostly foreign songs. Also, the cafe would be almost always full whenever there was performances. Thus, showing the trend once again towards foreign developments. Economically, this place can also considered to be one of the places for tourism, a key economic entity. Some of the nationalities of people I talked to were from Korea, Japan, Australia and Britain, some of which were specially looking for Jazz music, something close to their own culture and similar to what they would find in their home country, and others, here on business meetings, again using music as an economic entity. An interview with owner Quyen Van Minh noted that he opened the cafe in hope of popularizing Jazz as a genre of music among the Vietnamese, as well to create an avenue of Jazz lovers in Vietnam. Thus , his transition as a famous foreign output. Hence, music performances in this cafe help to bridge the gap between home and away, and foreign with local, a construction of imaginary boundaries as well as an avenue to showcase different forms and styles of music.
Sao Mai Diem Hen
Sao Mai Diem Hen is one of the more well known music singing competitions in Vietnam, and has a very high standard for its participants, as they need to be already proven in other competitions or of a certain caliber in order to audition for the show. Examples of participants and their caliber include Hai Yen , who was the top 6 contestant for “Vietnam Idol” , and Hoang Nghiep, who was one of the top 10 singers from Sao Mai Diem Hen 2007, the previous rendition of the competition. Many songs from many different genres were performed during this show, these include Jazz, hip hop, rock and pop styles, a very diverse degree of music on showcase. This is one of the ways in which the gap between artists and audiences are bridged at a participatory level, as audiences need to vote, also a very good economic entity.
I got the chance to meet and greet some of the contestants and teachers!
From my essay about the show:
Being an artist in Vietnam signifies a lot to these contestants, embarked by a deep passion for music. As quoted by one of the contestants, Hai Yen, “Singing is living – living is singing”. In an article, she mentioned that her inspiration for music was following the incitement of Minh Vuong , a singer from the Vietnamese band M4U, and from then on, music became not only her hobby, but her passion as well. Also, she mentioned that she has changed a lot throughout this competition, becoming more professional, having a better voice, and a more impressive image. In addition, as Sao Mai Diem Hen is under the direction of foreign vocal teachers, she also mentioned that these teachers are very professional and disciplined, one particular teacher being Mr. Jo from Thailand, genetic , experienced and talented. In addition, an interview with Bao Ha, personal manager of Hai Yen, mentioned that Sao Mai Diem Hen is an extremely good platform for singers to show themselves and be closer to the audience , as the show is popular throughout Vietnam. Also, she mentions that Hai Yen is a singer that is responsible for the songs she chooses , and is always looking to obtain songs that she is able to sing and express well to the audience. Lastly, this competition has always allowed singers to realize what the industry is like, that it takes a lot of practice and potential to be a singer, and that singers not only need to have suitable voices, but must be able to adhere to societies trends.
Thus, this competition has helped groom singers to improve themselves and rise up the level of Vietnamese music on show. The hiring of foreign teachers also represents the hybridity of influence Vietnamese popular music has and artists are willing to learn from other countries and improve themselves as well.
One of the foreign teachers at the show is Vorapat Chuaruson from Thailand. In an interview, he mentioned that he really enjoys Vietnamese music and culture. On describing Vietnamese music , he mentioned that it has more of an upscale chord style , with a huge variety of styles including swing and traditional, which compliments the feel of being a musician . In contrast , he mentioned that in Thailand, the only major mainstreams genres are rock and pop. However, although Vietnamese music has a variety of styles, these styles are not yet fully embraced, and still lacks the international feel. Hence, the use of these competitions to help nurture and develop singing talent to a greater level.
From the contestants point of view, Sao Mai Diem Hen has many other musical advantages for Vietnamese music as well. In an interview with Hoang Nghiep, the champion of Sao Mai Diem Hen 2008, he mentioned that competitions like Sao Mai Diem Hen helps to shorter the distance between art and life, and allows the Vietnamese people to be closer to music, and to be able to experience it first hand, what performances are like and how they are sang in relative difference to when heard on a record. Having been singing for 6 years, he also feels that Sao Mai Diem Hen is the biggest competition for singers in Vietnam, and that recently, there has been a change in the demand of audiences to music, mostly geared towards modernity, and something that show can help promote to the masses to fulfill this new demand for modern popular Vietnamese music.
Hence, this competition is one of the key ways to establish links between the audience and the music that they enjoy and can participate in.
I got the chance to meet and greet some of the contestants and teachers!
From my essay about the show:
Being an artist in Vietnam signifies a lot to these contestants, embarked by a deep passion for music. As quoted by one of the contestants, Hai Yen, “Singing is living – living is singing”. In an article, she mentioned that her inspiration for music was following the incitement of Minh Vuong , a singer from the Vietnamese band M4U, and from then on, music became not only her hobby, but her passion as well. Also, she mentioned that she has changed a lot throughout this competition, becoming more professional, having a better voice, and a more impressive image. In addition, as Sao Mai Diem Hen is under the direction of foreign vocal teachers, she also mentioned that these teachers are very professional and disciplined, one particular teacher being Mr. Jo from Thailand, genetic , experienced and talented. In addition, an interview with Bao Ha, personal manager of Hai Yen, mentioned that Sao Mai Diem Hen is an extremely good platform for singers to show themselves and be closer to the audience , as the show is popular throughout Vietnam. Also, she mentions that Hai Yen is a singer that is responsible for the songs she chooses , and is always looking to obtain songs that she is able to sing and express well to the audience. Lastly, this competition has always allowed singers to realize what the industry is like, that it takes a lot of practice and potential to be a singer, and that singers not only need to have suitable voices, but must be able to adhere to societies trends.
Thus, this competition has helped groom singers to improve themselves and rise up the level of Vietnamese music on show. The hiring of foreign teachers also represents the hybridity of influence Vietnamese popular music has and artists are willing to learn from other countries and improve themselves as well.
One of the foreign teachers at the show is Vorapat Chuaruson from Thailand. In an interview, he mentioned that he really enjoys Vietnamese music and culture. On describing Vietnamese music , he mentioned that it has more of an upscale chord style , with a huge variety of styles including swing and traditional, which compliments the feel of being a musician . In contrast , he mentioned that in Thailand, the only major mainstreams genres are rock and pop. However, although Vietnamese music has a variety of styles, these styles are not yet fully embraced, and still lacks the international feel. Hence, the use of these competitions to help nurture and develop singing talent to a greater level.
From the contestants point of view, Sao Mai Diem Hen has many other musical advantages for Vietnamese music as well. In an interview with Hoang Nghiep, the champion of Sao Mai Diem Hen 2008, he mentioned that competitions like Sao Mai Diem Hen helps to shorter the distance between art and life, and allows the Vietnamese people to be closer to music, and to be able to experience it first hand, what performances are like and how they are sang in relative difference to when heard on a record. Having been singing for 6 years, he also feels that Sao Mai Diem Hen is the biggest competition for singers in Vietnam, and that recently, there has been a change in the demand of audiences to music, mostly geared towards modernity, and something that show can help promote to the masses to fulfill this new demand for modern popular Vietnamese music.
Hence, this competition is one of the key ways to establish links between the audience and the music that they enjoy and can participate in.
Music Concert: Đại Nhạc Hội Imuzik
Attended a grand musical concert for Vietnamese popular music at the national outdoor stadium of Hanoi (Sân vận động Quốc gia Mỹ Đình)
It was an eye-opener, where most of the nations top singers came down to perform for one night.
This event attracted an estimated 22,000 people and is a musical showcase that is sponsored and organized with liaises with Viettel., a major telecom company in Vietnam. Many of Vietnam’s up and rising stars came to perform at this showcase, including Mỹ Tâm, Đàm Vĩnh Hưng, Hồ Nhọc Hà, Phương Linh, Tuấn Hưng, Quang Vinh, Bảo Thy, Phạm Quỳnh Anh, Thùy Trang, Hoàng Nghiệp, Xuân Bắc, Mỹ Lan, Ban nhạc Rock Ngũ Cung, Nhóm Nhịp Điệu, Nhóm nhảy Big Toe and Nhóm múa K27.
It was noted that audiences came from a wide variety of demographics, from young to old, friends to families. Most of the audiences were quite enthusiastic about the programme, singing along to the various tunes sang by the singers, as well as giving loud applause and cheers. There were many genres of Vietnamese pop on display , including rock, dance, pop and hip hop among others However, it was noted as well that some genres were more well received by the audiences than others. One of the more popular singers on stage that day was Tuấn Hủng, who sings contemporary pop songs in this modern age, with tunes that are easy to understand and follow. The most anticipated song in my opinion was sang by him, titled “Cầu Vồng Khuyết.” It was very well received.
Other pop singers include Phương Linh, the singer most well known from her rendition of “ bonjour Vietnam” , and the winner of “Sao Mai Diem Hen”, Hoang Nghiep.
In addition, was Bao Thy, one of the more popular singers in Vietnam, mostly because of her appeal as an artist rather than a singer, her songs appealing to the youths, a mixture of techno and pop. An artist with pleasant looks, she typifies that success in the modern pop music industry of Vietnam can be molded not just by personality and vocal strengths but by beauty as well.
Diversity of Vietnamese popular music was made evident as well by another 2 singers that performed during this concert, “Ngu Cung”, a student rock band, which featured head banging, and “Dam Vinh Hung”, whose music is mostly in the genre of dance and techno, but judging by the response, is rather popular as well. Lastly, on stage was Vietnam’s most diverse and well-groomed overseas singer, My Tam, who has ventured abroad to work with Korean composers before, exchanging cultures and musical ideas between these two nations. The songs she sang were very modern and trendy, a signal of Vietnam’s rising development in the popular music scene.
Overall, the concert was an overwhelming experience. Interview with audiences revealed that this concert was a good opportunity for them to meet hear their favorite singers perform live, and that the participatory atmosphere is fantastic, and a great place to enjoy music. Hence, this concert has also shown how far Vietnamese music has progressed throughout the years, and how popular it is with the Vietnamese population, particularly among young adults and teenagers. It addition, it has also grown commercially as a business rather than for mostly nationalistic purposes in the past, especially after the advent of “ Đoi Moi.” One of the factors of this can be seen by Viettel’s partnership in organization, which offered its employees free passes to this concert to promote Vietnamese music and its development, in exchange for publicity space, noted by 2 informants interviewed who came as they were customers of Viettel. Thus, embarking the shift of the commodification and individual performance of music.
It was an eye-opener, where most of the nations top singers came down to perform for one night.
This event attracted an estimated 22,000 people and is a musical showcase that is sponsored and organized with liaises with Viettel., a major telecom company in Vietnam. Many of Vietnam’s up and rising stars came to perform at this showcase, including Mỹ Tâm, Đàm Vĩnh Hưng, Hồ Nhọc Hà, Phương Linh, Tuấn Hưng, Quang Vinh, Bảo Thy, Phạm Quỳnh Anh, Thùy Trang, Hoàng Nghiệp, Xuân Bắc, Mỹ Lan, Ban nhạc Rock Ngũ Cung, Nhóm Nhịp Điệu, Nhóm nhảy Big Toe and Nhóm múa K27.
It was noted that audiences came from a wide variety of demographics, from young to old, friends to families. Most of the audiences were quite enthusiastic about the programme, singing along to the various tunes sang by the singers, as well as giving loud applause and cheers. There were many genres of Vietnamese pop on display , including rock, dance, pop and hip hop among others However, it was noted as well that some genres were more well received by the audiences than others. One of the more popular singers on stage that day was Tuấn Hủng, who sings contemporary pop songs in this modern age, with tunes that are easy to understand and follow. The most anticipated song in my opinion was sang by him, titled “Cầu Vồng Khuyết.” It was very well received.
Other pop singers include Phương Linh, the singer most well known from her rendition of “ bonjour Vietnam” , and the winner of “Sao Mai Diem Hen”, Hoang Nghiep.
In addition, was Bao Thy, one of the more popular singers in Vietnam, mostly because of her appeal as an artist rather than a singer, her songs appealing to the youths, a mixture of techno and pop. An artist with pleasant looks, she typifies that success in the modern pop music industry of Vietnam can be molded not just by personality and vocal strengths but by beauty as well.
Diversity of Vietnamese popular music was made evident as well by another 2 singers that performed during this concert, “Ngu Cung”, a student rock band, which featured head banging, and “Dam Vinh Hung”, whose music is mostly in the genre of dance and techno, but judging by the response, is rather popular as well. Lastly, on stage was Vietnam’s most diverse and well-groomed overseas singer, My Tam, who has ventured abroad to work with Korean composers before, exchanging cultures and musical ideas between these two nations. The songs she sang were very modern and trendy, a signal of Vietnam’s rising development in the popular music scene.
Overall, the concert was an overwhelming experience. Interview with audiences revealed that this concert was a good opportunity for them to meet hear their favorite singers perform live, and that the participatory atmosphere is fantastic, and a great place to enjoy music. Hence, this concert has also shown how far Vietnamese music has progressed throughout the years, and how popular it is with the Vietnamese population, particularly among young adults and teenagers. It addition, it has also grown commercially as a business rather than for mostly nationalistic purposes in the past, especially after the advent of “ Đoi Moi.” One of the factors of this can be seen by Viettel’s partnership in organization, which offered its employees free passes to this concert to promote Vietnamese music and its development, in exchange for publicity space, noted by 2 informants interviewed who came as they were customers of Viettel. Thus, embarking the shift of the commodification and individual performance of music.
Musical Concert :Stylish Step
Went down to see a national hip hop dance competition at the indoor stadium in Vietnam. Again it was an overwhelming experience, and there were musical performances as well.
This competition is titled Kotex Style Chung Kết Khu Vực Dước Nhảy Xi Tin 2008 or "Stylish Step 2008" , basically I think this competition typifies hip hop culture in Vietnam, something which the advent of globalization has brought about, particularly among the youth. A trend that is fast picking up among Vietnamese youths.
There were some singers present that day to perform songs as well, such as Hai Yen, Dang Khoi, Bao Thy and Dinh Tien Dat. These musical performances are indeed a good way to bridge the gap between audiences and artists. Here are some of the highlights, including a beat boxing scene, highlighting the growth of foreign influences in Vietnamese music, in particular, of the rising trend of hip hop culture.
This is the dance of one of the winning teams, what's interesting is that for this round each team had to come up with their own dance number for the same piece of music. And this piece of music is unique in that its an instrumental piece, but it is hip hop and traditional at the same time, sort of a hybridity of both, mixed together for a wonderful effect, played on stage together with photos of Vietnamese culture. Showing the diverse nature that music has evolved into from the past. Hip hop music coupled with Vietnamese tunes and instruments. Check it out..
This competition is titled Kotex Style Chung Kết Khu Vực Dước Nhảy Xi Tin 2008 or "Stylish Step 2008" , basically I think this competition typifies hip hop culture in Vietnam, something which the advent of globalization has brought about, particularly among the youth. A trend that is fast picking up among Vietnamese youths.
There were some singers present that day to perform songs as well, such as Hai Yen, Dang Khoi, Bao Thy and Dinh Tien Dat. These musical performances are indeed a good way to bridge the gap between audiences and artists. Here are some of the highlights, including a beat boxing scene, highlighting the growth of foreign influences in Vietnamese music, in particular, of the rising trend of hip hop culture.
This is the dance of one of the winning teams, what's interesting is that for this round each team had to come up with their own dance number for the same piece of music. And this piece of music is unique in that its an instrumental piece, but it is hip hop and traditional at the same time, sort of a hybridity of both, mixed together for a wonderful effect, played on stage together with photos of Vietnamese culture. Showing the diverse nature that music has evolved into from the past. Hip hop music coupled with Vietnamese tunes and instruments. Check it out..
Traditional Cheo Performance
Went down with Shi Lei to watch a regional Vovinam competitio, at Ha Dong. At the opening ceremony, there happened to be traditional music performance on show. Turns out its a traditional Cheo performance, something in which the district of Ha Dong is well known for, which is why they are performing it, to showcase their musical and traditional arts culture. Therefore traditional music, is in instance, even though traditional, is still very much prevalent in today's society, as it has deep cultural meanings and traditions. Also, musical performances are used as a social tool as well, performed so that people can understand and know more about these forms of arts that is unique to their distinct.
Cheers
Daniel Foo
Cheers
Daniel Foo
Musical Performances in Sapa
Went on a trip to Sapa with 3 of my friends, Stano, Jia Lun and Shu Jie
While at Sapa, we chanced upon this school, and it so happened that the school was having a singing concert titled, "Hội Thi, Tiếng hát ngành Giáo dục huyện Sa Pa" which is a singing competition for people in the education sector. Hence, we went in to take a look, and had a good surprise!
There were many performances on show that day, here are some of the highlights which we watched.
Based on these performances, we could see the many different functions and social spaces that music has. The first part of the video showed had people singing a military or nationalistic song. The 2nd part of the video has many ethnic groups sharing the stage to give a collective song, from what I can see, there are people wearing Ao Dai, the national costume of Vietnam, and I think could represent the majority ethnic Viet people. There are also people wearing the ethnic costumes of what I would presume, symbolizes the Black Hmong and Flower Hmong, two ethnic groups that are have their villages very near or within the Sapa - Lao Cai regions.In addition, the 3rd item in the video showcases music and dance in unison with each other, which creates another platform to showcase their different ethnic culture in this social space. Hence, music can be used as a cultural tool to represent and showcase different cultures and their music, as well as a nationalistic tool in the singing of nationalistic songs. Overall, It was a very good experience.
Cheers,
Daniel Foo
While at Sapa, we chanced upon this school, and it so happened that the school was having a singing concert titled, "Hội Thi, Tiếng hát ngành Giáo dục huyện Sa Pa" which is a singing competition for people in the education sector. Hence, we went in to take a look, and had a good surprise!
There were many performances on show that day, here are some of the highlights which we watched.
Based on these performances, we could see the many different functions and social spaces that music has. The first part of the video showed had people singing a military or nationalistic song. The 2nd part of the video has many ethnic groups sharing the stage to give a collective song, from what I can see, there are people wearing Ao Dai, the national costume of Vietnam, and I think could represent the majority ethnic Viet people. There are also people wearing the ethnic costumes of what I would presume, symbolizes the Black Hmong and Flower Hmong, two ethnic groups that are have their villages very near or within the Sapa - Lao Cai regions.In addition, the 3rd item in the video showcases music and dance in unison with each other, which creates another platform to showcase their different ethnic culture in this social space. Hence, music can be used as a cultural tool to represent and showcase different cultures and their music, as well as a nationalistic tool in the singing of nationalistic songs. Overall, It was a very good experience.
Cheers,
Daniel Foo
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